New rail link between Belgium and France: Lineas, DFDS and North Sea Port shift 8,000 containers and trailers from road to rail
The Belgian company Lineas and shipping and logistics firm DFDS are joining forces to transport containers and trailers from Ghent in North Sea Port by rail to Lyon – and vice versa. This will create an intermodal connection between Sweden, Belgium and France.
Connection by short sea service to Gothenburg
Jelle Van Koevorden, Managing Director DFDS Belgium: "DFDS sails between its multimodal terminals in the port of Gothenburg and Mercatordok in Ghent six times a week. This short sea service now links in with intermodal rail." Initially, the train service operated by Europe's largest private rail freight player Lineas will runs three times a week between Ghent and Port Edouard Hérriot in Lyon. As of mid-April, the frequency will be increased to five trips weekly.
The train carries containers and craneable and non-craneable trailers. The containers are used to carry products including food and chemicals. The trailers contain general and industrial cargo and cargo for the automotive industry.
North Sea Port multimodal port: 450 additional trains per year
Bernard Gustin, CEO of Lineas: “Shifting this freight from road to rail between Ghent and the important industrial region of Lyon will require 450 trains per year and 8,000 trailers/containers. Such a choice means 9 times less CO2 emissions.”
Low-emission rail freight is one of the ways in which North Sea Port continues to build a sustainable multimodal port. "With the combined transport between Gothenburg, Ghent and Lyon, North Sea Port is further strengthening its position as a multimodal port in Western Europe", says Daan Schalck, CEO of North Sea Port. "Particularly since the cargo arrives in Ghent by road, sea-going vessel and barge from Antwerp, Rotterdam and Moerdijk."
About Lineas
Lineas is Europe's largest private rail freight operator, with 2,000 employees who work hard every day to help customers decarbonise their supply chain thanks to green rail freight. With international freight trains that emit 90% less CO2 than trucks, Lineas aims to make a significant contribution to climate targets. The company has its headquarters in Brussels and local teams and sites in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.
www.lineas.net
About DFDS
DFDS provides ferry and logistics services in Europe and Turkey, with an annual turnover of DKK 27 billion. Its 11,500 employees work on board ferries and in offices in more than 70 locations. Founded in 1866, DFDS is headquartered in Copenhagen and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.
www.dfds.com
About North Sea Port
North Sea Port is the 60 kilometre cross-border port area stretching from Vlissingen on the North Sea in the Netherlands through Terneuzen to Ghent, 32 kilometres inland in Belgium. As a centrally-located hub in Western Europe, the port specialises in multimodal transport (shipping, inland navigation, rail, truck and pipeline) and a wide range of goods.
North Sea Port generates €12.6 billion in added value annually, placing it third amongst Europe's leading ports. When it comes to cargo transhipment, it ranks tenth in the list of biggest European ports with 73.6 million tonnes. The port area is home to 550 companies and creates direct and indirect employment for 102,000 people.
www.northseaport.com
Info (for press, not for publication)
Lineas, Annelies Hervent, spokesperson, annelies.hervent@lineas.net, tel. +32 (0)468 173 307
North Sea Port & DFDS, spokesperson, Johan.Bresseleers@northseaport.com, tel. +32 (0)478 918 675